Aumento de egresos hospitalarios por enfermedad diverticular a nivel nacional en el período 2003-2013 / Increase in hospital discharges due to diverticular disease at the national level in the period 2003-2013

Resumen Introducción: La enfermedad diverticular (ED) es una patología prevalente. Su incidencia ha aumentado, sin embargo, no se cuenta con publicaciones nacionales al respecto. Objetivo: Realizar un análisis de los egresos hospitalarios, edad de presentación, cirugías y letalidad por ED a nivel nacional entre el año 2003 y 2013. Materiales y Método: Se diseñó un estudio en base a datos publicados por la dirección y estadística e información de salud (DEIS) de Chile, entre los años 2003 y 2013. Se calcularon tasas de egreso hospitalarios por año, tasa de ED ajustada por sexo, tasas de intervención quirúrgica y letalidad. Resultados: El total de egresos hospitalarios presentó un alza desde 2.023 hasta 4.172 casos. La tasa de egresos por ED, en el total de la población, presentó un alza de 20 a 33 pacientes por cada 100.000 habitantes. La tasa de egresos hospitalarios presentó un alza de 173 hasta 327 pacientes por cada 100.000 egresos. La edad de presentación disminuyó de 62 a 58 años promedio. En cuanto a las cirugías, disminuyeron de 25% a 17%. La letalidad, es mayor sobre los 60 años y en el subgrupo que requiere cirugía. Discusión: Los resultados concuerdan con la literatura, se presenta un alza de hospitalizaciones, menor edad, menor requerimientos quirúrgicos y mayor letalidad en grupos etarios más avanzados. Conclusión: La enfermedad diverticular es una patología en aumento, desde el punto de vista hospitalario esto se hace evidente ante el crecimiento sostenido de egresos en el período estudiado.

Introduction: Diverticular disease (DD) is a prevalent pathology with multiple clinical manifestations. Its worldwide incidence has increased, however, there are no national publications in this regard. Aim: The objective of this study is to carry out an analysis of hospital discharges, age of presentation, surgeries and fatality due to DD from national data collected between 2003 and 2013. Materials and Method: A study was designed based on data from the management website and statistics and health information (DEIS) for Chile between 2003 and 2013. Hospital discharge rates per year, DD rate adjusted for sex, rates of surgical intervention and fatality were calculated. Results: The total of hospital discharges showed an increase from 2.023 to 4.172 cases. The discharge rate for DD in the total population increased from 20 to 33 patients per 100.000 inhabitants. The hospital discharge rate increased from 173 to 327 patients per 100.000 discharges. The age of presentation decreased from an average 62 to 58 years. Regarding surgeries, they decreased from 25% to 17%. Regarding mortality, it is higher over 60 years and in the surgical versus non-surgical subgroup. Discussion: These results are consistent with the literature; there is an increase in hospitalizations, lower age, lower surgical requirements and higher mortality in more advanced age groups. Conclusión: Diverticular disease is an increasing disease in the inpatient setting over the 10-year period studied.

La enfermedad diverticular hoy: revisión de la evidencia / Diverticular disease today: evidence review

Resumen La enfermedad diverticular es muy prevalente con gran repercusión económica y médica. A pesar de las múltiples guías para protocolizar el diagnóstico y tratamiento no existe unanimidad en su manejo. Hemos realizado una revisión actualizada con el objetivo de analizar los nuevos estudios de esta enfermedad, para manejarla adecuadamente y realizar el tratamiento más adecuado en cada momento. La enfermedad diverticular tiene un componente hereditario (40%) y presenta una relación directa con la dieta pobre en fibra, la obesidad, el consumo de carne roja, la inactividad, el alcohol y los AINEs. Por su clínica inespecífica, es difícil realizar un diagnóstico diferencial. La ecografía y el TC abdominal son métodos apropiados para el diagnóstico y se recomienda una colonoscopia de manera precoz (4ᵃ-8ᵃ semana) tras el cuadro agudo. La clasificación más seguida es la de Hinchey. En el tratamiento médico de la diverticulosis sintomática no se ha demostrado evidencia clara de ningún medicamento. La diverticulitis aguda no complicada se puede manejar ambulatoriamente y no es necesario el uso de antibióticos en pacientes sin factores de riesgo. En la diverticulitis complicada se tiende a un manejo conservador, aunque en el Hinchey III y IV el tratamiento es quirúrgico, recomendando la resección de la zona afecta y si es posible anastomosis con o sin estoma de protección. No se recomienda el lavado y drenaje en el Hinchey III. Hay que consensuar tratamiento de forma individualizada ya que no se recomienda tratamiento quirúrgico por el número de recurrencias ni por edad del paciente.

The diverticular disease is a prevalent condition with a great economic and medical repercussion. Despite the multiple guidelines available to protocolize diagnosis and treatment, there is not unanimity in its management. We have carried out an updated review with the aim of analyzing new studies of the disease, to manage it properly and to carry out the most appropriate treatment at each time. Diverticular disease has an inherited component (40%) and it is directly related to low fiber diet, obesity, consumption of red meat, inactivity, alcohol and NSAIDs. Due to its nonspecific symptoms, it is difficult to make a differential diagnosis. Ultrasound and abdominal CT are appropriate methods for diagnosis and early colonoscopy is recommended (4th-8th week) after acute symptoms. The most followed classification is the Hinchey Score. There is no clear evidence of the superiority of any drug in the treatment of symptomatic diverticulosis. Acute uncomplicated diverticulitis can be managed on an outpatient and the use of antibiotics is not necessary in patients without risk factors. Conservative management tends to be used in complicated diverticulitis, although in Hinchey III and IV the treatment is surgical, recommending resection of the affected area and, if possible, anastomosis with or without a protective stoma. Washing and draining is not recommended in the Hinchey III. Treatment must be agreed on an individual basis since surgical treatment is not recommended due to the number of recurrences or the age of the patient.

Diverticular Disease: A Review on Pathophysiology and Recent Evidence.

Diverticular disease is common condition globally, especially in Western countries. Diverticulitis, Symptomatic uncomplicated Diverticular disease and Segmental Colitis associated with diverticula constitute diverticular disease. Although most patients with diverticula are asymptomatic, around 25% of patients will experience symptoms whilst 5% of patients have an episode of acute diverticulitis. The prevalence increases with age with more than one theory being put forward to explain its pathogenesis. Faecolith entrapment in diverticula results in colonic mucosal damage and oedema, bacterial proliferation and toxin accumulation leading to perforation. This mechanism may explain diverticulitis in elderly patients with multiple, larger diverticula. Ischaemic damage could be the cause of acute diverticulitis in younger patients with sparse diverticula where more frequent and forceful muscular contractions in response to colonic stimuli occlude the vasculature leading to ischaemia and microperforation. Chronic colonic active inflammation in the presence of diverticular disease is termed Segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis. Its pathophysiology is still indeterminate but together with its clinical picture, may mimic Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Treatment includes a high fibre diet together with antibiotics and/or salicylates with surgery in severe cases. Indications for elective surgery in diverticular disease have changed over the past decades as this may not suggest a reduction in morbidity and mortality. Prophylaxis with probiotics, laxatives, anti-spasmotics, anticholinergic drugs and salicylates are at the centre of recent studies. Studies are also challenging previously believed facts regarding dietary fibre, nuts and seeds whilst emphasizing the effect of healthy lifestyle and smoking on the increasing incidence of DD.

Presentation and anatomical distribution of diverticular disease in four hospitals in Sudan.

INTRODUCTION: diverticular disease (DD) was thought to be more prevalent in the western countries, especially the white populations, but the recent increase in incidence among African and Asian population, was reported. Up to our knowledge, there is no previous study of DD in Sudan. METHODS: this is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the department of endoscopy in four Sudanese hospitals in the period from October 2017 to February 2019. We included all patients who underwent colonoscopy during the study period. The main objective is to study the presentation and the anatomical pattern of diverticular disease among the Sudanese population. RESULTS: prevalence of DD in the included population was 7.5% (104/1393). The mean age was 66.4 ± 12.5 years with the percentage of males in our study is 77.1% and females were 22.9%. Presenting complains were: abdominal pain in all patients, constipation in 78.8% and rectal bleeding in 57.7%. Regarding anatomical distribution: 63.5% have left colonic DD, 19.2% in the right colon and 17.3% involving the entire colon. There was a significant correlation between the left side DD and following clinical presentations: mucus per-rectum (p = 0.015) and weight loss (p = 0.048). Other endoscopic findings of significance were internal pile in 21.2% and colo-rectal polyp in 15.4%. CONCLUSION: the prevalence of DD in the included population, is 7.5% which is consistent with recent literature from the Middle East, Africa and Asia but still less than the prevalence in the western countries and left side colon is predominantly affected.

Role of Inflammation in Pathophysiology of Colonic Disease: An Update.

Diseases of the colon are a big health burden in both men and women worldwide ranging from acute infection to cancer. Environmental and genetic factors influence disease onset and outcome in multiple colonic pathologies. The importance of inflammation in the onset, progression and outcome of multiple colonic pathologies is gaining more traction as the evidence from recent research is considered. In this review, we provide an update on the literature to understand how genetics, diet, and the gut microbiota influence the crosstalk between immune and non­immune cells resulting in inflammation observed in multiple colonic pathologies. Specifically, we focus on four colonic diseases two of which have a more established association with inflammation (inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer) while the other two have a less understood relationship with inflammation (diverticular disease and irritable bowel syndrome).

Role of dietary fibre in older adults with asymptomatic (AS) or symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD): Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dietary fibre and probiotics may play a role in the management of diverticular disease. This systematic review synthesises the evidence on the effects of dietary fibre modifications, with or without the use of probiotics, on the incidence in older adults of asymptomatic (AS) or symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD), as well as on gastrointestinal function and symptoms. Five electronic databases were searched for studies through to December 2018. The body of evidence was appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and GRADE. Nine studies were included, with mean sample ages ranging from 57 to 70 years, and three meta-analyses were performed. Only one study, with high risk of bias, measured the effect of dietary fibre on the incidence of diverticulitis. Dietary fibre supplementation improved stool weight (MD: 42 g/day, P < 0.00001; GRADE level of evidence: low), but had no significant effect on gastrointestinal symptoms (SMD: -0.13, P = 0.16; GRADE level of evidence: low) or stool transit time (MD: -3.70, P = 0.32 GRADE level of evidence: low). There was "very low" confidence for the body of evidence supporting symbiotics for AS or SUDD. A high dietary fibre intake, in line with dietary guidelines, may improve gastrointestinal function and is recommended in patients with AS or SUDD. Dietary fibre supplementation should be considered on an individualised basis to improve bowel function, while any recommendation on symbiotic supplements requires further well-designed research. Future studies should also measure the impact on the incidence of diverticulitis.

Enfermedad diverticular: nuevas perspectivas en el tratamiento dieto-terapéutico / Diverticular disease: new perspectives in diet-therapeutic treatment

La enfermedad diverticular corresponde a una condición habitual en el territorio occidental, siendo el hallazgo más frecuente en población de zonas urbanizadas. Respecto a su origen, se ha planteado la influencia de factores ambientales y genéticos, incluyendo en su etiología una inadecuada ingesta de fibra dietética, disbiosis de la microbiota intestinal y niveles alterados de vitamina D. A su vez, la enfermedad diverticular sintomática no complicada (EDNC) corresponde a un tipo de diverticulosis crónica cuyas características asemejan al síndrome de intestino irritable, lo que resalta la importancia en la comprensión de esta condición. Recientemente, se ha discutido la forma en que se aborda la enfermedad diverticular y en el siguiente escrito se expondrá evidencia sobre la patogénesis y su actual manejo.

Diverticular disease corresponds to a habitual condition in the western territory, being frequently found among the population of urban areas. Regarding its origin, the influence of environmental and genetic factors, including the etiology of dietary fiber intake, intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and altered levels of vitamin D have been recognized. Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease corresponds to a type of chronic diverticulosis whose characteristics resemble irritable bowel syndrome, highlighting the importance of understanding this condition. Recently, the treatment of the disease has been discussed and the following review presents evidence on pathogenesis and its management.

Neurite outgrowth in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease.

Diverticulosis is the presence of small, bulging pouches in the lining of the intestinal colonic mucosal and submucosal layers. This condition is usually asymptomatic. The few patients (25%) that do develop abdominal symptoms are diagnosed with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD). Up to now it is not clear which pathophysiological events trigger the transition from asymptomatic diverticulosis to SUDD. However, data from Barbaro and colleagues published in the current issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility showed extensive axonal sprouting and increased macrophage infiltration in SUDD compared to asymptomatic diverticulosis patients. Thereby they provide more evidence suggesting that enteric neuro-plasticity, whether or not affected by infiltrating macrophages, may underlie the development of symptoms in diverticulosis.

Current and Evolving Concepts on the Pathogenesis of Diverticular Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Diverticulosis of the colon is the most common anatomic alteration of the human colon, and it is characterized by the out-pouching of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through the muscular layer. Recurrent abdominal pain is experienced by about 20% of patients with diverticulosis, and inflammation of diverticula may lead to acute diverticulitis. In the past few years, several studies have investigated the factors predisposing or triggering diverticular disease (DD) occurrence. Moreover, new physiopathological knowledge has been acquired. The aim of this study was to review current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of DD. METHODS: A search of PubMed and EMBASE database was performed to identify articles relevant to the pathogenesis of DD. RESULTS: Several papers have shown that genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and colonic dysmotility are implicated in the pathogenesis of DD. More recent studies have associated specific host immune responses, gut microbiota imbalance and therefore low-grade inflammation as contributors to symptom occurrence in DD and diverticulitis. CONCLUSIONS: Current and evolving evidence highlighted the role of genetic susceptibility, environment, colonic motility, visceral sensitivity, immune response, and microbiota in the pathogenesis of this disease. Further studies are required to identify potential targets for medical or surgical decision-making.

Persistent Increased Enteric Glial Expression of S100ß is Associated With Low-grade Inflammation in Patients With Diverticular Disease.

BACKGROUND: Diverticular disease (DD) is a common gastrointestinal inflammatory disorder associated with an enteric neuropathy. Although enteric glial cells (EGCs) are essential regulators of intestinal inflammation and motility functions, their contribution to the pathophysiology of DD remains unclear. Therefore, we analyzed the expression of specific EGC markers in patients with DD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of the glial markers S100ß, GFAP, Sox10, and Connexin 43 was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR in colonic specimens of patients with DD and in that of controls. Protein expression levels of S100ß, GFAP, and Connexin 43 were further analyzed using immunohistochemistry in the submucosal and myenteric plexus of patients with DD and in that of controls. Expression of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 was quantified using qPCR, and infiltration of CD3+ lymphocytes was determined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Expression of S100ß was increased in the submucosal and myenteric plexus of patients with DD compared with that in controls, whereas expression of other glial factors remained unchanged. This increased expression of S100ß was correlated to CD3+ lymphocytic infiltrates in patients with DD, whereas no correlation was observed in controls. CONCLUSIONS: DD is associated with limited but significant alterations of the enteric glial network. The increased expression of S100ß is associated with a persistent low-grade inflammation reported in patients with DD, further emphasizing the role of EGCs in intestinal inflammation.

Pathogenesis of Diverticulosis and Diverticular Disease.

In this session different problems regarding the pathogenesis of diverticular disease were considered, including "Genetics", "Neuromuscular function abnormalities", "Patterns of mucosa inflammation", and "Impact of lifestyle". The patients affected by diverticular disease have clear genetic pattern, that might predispose to the occurrence of the disease as well as to its complications. Neuromuscular abnormalities may be recognized already at the stage of diverticulosis, and inflammation may explain symptoms occurrence in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) or symptoms persistence after an episode of acute diverticulitis. Finally, lifestyle might also have an impact on symptoms' occurrence. Specifically smoking, but also obesity seem to play an important role, while the role of low-fiber diet and constipation is now under debate.

Epidemiology and risk factors for diverticular disease.

Diverticulosis of the colon is the most frequent anatomical alteration diagnosed at colonoscopy. The prevalence of the disease is higher in elderly patients over 65 years old, recent studies show an increment also in youngers over 40 years old. Even its large prevalence in the population, its pathophysiology still remain poorly understood. It's widely accepted that diverticula are likely to be the result of complex interactions among genetic factors, alteration of colonic motility, lifestyle conditions such as smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, fiber and meat intake with diet. Recently many authors considered also alterations in colonic microbiota composition, co-morbidity with diabetes and hypertension and the chronic assumption of certain medications like PPI, ARB and aspirin, as important risk factors for the development of diverticulosis. The aim of this narrative review is to summarise current knowledges on this topic.

Treatment of diverticular disease, targeting symptoms or underlying mechanisms.

Diverticular disease (DD) is a highly prevalent disease in western industrialized countries that encompasses a complex set of disorders. Because of its complexity and heterogeneity, both from a pathogenic and a clinical point of view, the management of this disease represent a challenge in clinical practice. This review aims to analyze and summarize the most recent evidence on the medical strategies for DD, considering separately the different stages of the disease, from prevention of diverticula formation to treatment of acute diverticulitis and prevention of recurrences. Based on some evidence, dietary fiber is useful to prevent diverticula formation and in diverticulosis, with no pharmacological treatment in these settings. Treatment of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease as well as primary prevention of acute diverticulitis is based on probiotics, fibres, mesalazine and rifaximin, individually or as combination therapy, although a standard approach has not yet been defined. On the contrary, in acute diverticulitis (AD) recent acquisitions have clarified and standardized the role of systemic antibiotics, reserving its use only to complicated forms and in selected cases of uncomplicated disease. Secondary prevention of AD is essentially based on mesalazine and rifaximin but, despite promising results, no strong evidence have been produced. To date, grey areas remain in the medical management of DD.

New concepts on intestinal microbiota and the role of the non-absorbable antibiotics with special reference to rifaximin in digestive diseases.

Digestive diseases are a broad range of chronic disorders that substantially and negatively impact the patients' quality of life. Here, we review our current understanding on the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, and diverticular disease, with a special focus on the gut microbiota composition associated with these disorders. Furthermore, we review the current clinical practice for their therapeutic treatments, including probiotics, diet change, non-adsorbable disaccharides, and antibiotics. We highlight that broad-spectrum non-adsorbable antibiotics, such as rifaximin, are quite effective and safe for the treatment of all essayed digestive diseases.

Cortical differences in diverticular disease and correlation with symptom reports.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that the brain of patients with gastrointestinal disease differ both structurally and functionally from that of controls. Highly somatizing diverticular disease (HSDD) patients were also shown to differ from low somatizing (LSDD) patients functionally. This study aimed to investigate how they differed structurally. METHODS: Four diseases subgroups were studied in a cross-sectional design: 20 patients with asymptomatic diverticular disease (ADD), 18 LSDD, 16 HSDD, and 18 with irritable bowel syndrome. We divided DD patients into LSDD and HSDD using a cutoff of 6 on the Patient Health Questionnaire 12 Somatic Symptom (PHQ12-SS) scale. All patients underwent a 1-mm isotropic structural brain MRI scan and were assessed for somatization, hospital anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing. Whole brain volumetry, cortical thickness analysis and voxel-based morphometry were carried out using Freesurfer and SPM. KEY RESULTS: We observed decreases in gray matter density in the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), and in the mid-cingulate and motor cortex, and increases in the left (19, 20) and right (19, 38) Brodmann Areas. The average cortical thickness differed overall across groups (P = .002) and regionally: HSDD > ADD in the posterior cingulate cortex (P = .03), HSDD > LSDD in the dlPFC (P = .03) and in the ventrolateral PFC (P < .001). The thickness of the anterior cingulate cortex and of the mid-prefrontal cortex were also found to correlate with Pain Catastrophizing (Spearman's ρ = 0.24, P = .043 uncorrected and Spearman's ρ = 0.25, P = .03 uncorrected). CONCLUSION & INFERENCES: This is the first study of structural gray matter abnormalities in diverticular disease patients. The data show brain differences in the pain network.

Diverticular Disease: An Update on Pathogenesis and Management.

Diverticular disease is one of the most common conditions in the Western world and one of the most common findings identified at colonoscopy. Recently, there has been a significant paradigm shift in our understanding of diverticular disease and its management. The pathogenesis of diverticular disease is thought to be multifactorial and include both environmental and genetic factors in addition to the historically accepted etiology of dietary fiber deficiency. Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) is currently considered a type of chronic diverticulosis that is perhaps akin to irritable bowel syndrome. Mesalamine, rifaximin and probiotics may achieve symptomatic relief in some patients with SUDD, although their role(s) in preventing complications remain unclear. Antibiotic use for acute diverticulitis and elective prophylactic resection surgery are considered more individualized treatment modalities that take into account the clinical status, comorbidities and lifestyle of the patient. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of diverticular disease continues to evolve and is likely to be diverse and multifactorial. Paradigm shifts in several areas of the pathogenesis and management of diverticular disease are explored in this review.

Manejo actual de la enfermedad diverticular aguda del colon / Current management of acute diverticular disease of the colon

Introducción: La colopatía diverticular es la enfermedad benigna más frecuente del colon, llegando a tener una incidencia del 70% a los 65 años de edad. El tratamiento fue variando a lo largo de los años. El objetivo de la presente monografía es realizar una recopilación de datos actualizados que permitan analizar las diferentes variables terapéuticas en relación al tratamiento médico y más específicamente quirúrgico de la enfermedad diverticular aguda. Materiales y Método: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica actualizada en base a buscadores académicos médicos (PubMed, MedLine, Ovid, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Lilacs, Rima, Cochrane) a partir de la cual se analizaron las diferentes variables relacionadas al tratamiento (manejo médico y quirúrgico). Resultados: Se desarrolló una guía de tratamiento en relación a la enfermedad diverticular complicada y no complicada y sus variables terapéuticas teniendo en cuenta la clasificación de HINCHEY. Conclusiones: La enfermedad diverticular tiene una incidencia en aumento en las últimas décadas, ya sea por un incremento en los factores de riesgo (dietas hipercalóricas, con un bajo contenido de fibras y verduras; obesidad; estrés) como por los avance en los métodos de diagnósticos, por lo que hay que saber diferenciar la terapéutica teniendo en cuenta no sólo la clasificación de HINCHEY sino también el estado general del paciente. En la mayoría de los casos no requerirá de una conducta quirúrgica para su resolución, siendo está indicada a los tipos III/IV y ante la falta de respuesta al tratamiento médico en los demás tipos. La elección de la técnica quirúrgica (Operación de Hartmann, Resección con anastomosis primaria con o sin ostomía de protección o lavado y drenaje de cavidad abdominal) se establecerá en base al estado general del paciente al momento del acto quirúrgico y a la experiencia del cirujano. (AU)

Diverticular disease practice points.

BACKGROUND: Diverticular disease and its spectrum of complications are increasingly encountered in the Australian population. Accurate management of patients before and after an acute episode entails extension beyond the acute event to include dietary advice and colonoscopy. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this article are to evaluate the literature regarding dietary factors and diverticular disease, routine colonoscopy and antibiotic treatment in acute diverticulitis, to enable primary care physicians to manage patients and provide sound advice after hospital admission. DISCUSSION: Diverticulitis can often be managed in the community by general practitioners, but the necessity of antibiotics may not be definitive. When patients do require hospital admission, advice and management of patient lifestyle factors after admission, and investigations to rule out red flags are crucial. These elements of patient management are the subject of debate, as it appears that standard dietary advice does not alter a patient's clinical course, and colonoscopy is not always necessary and should be used judiciously.

Limited evidence of abnormal intra-colonic pressure profiles in diverticular disease - a systematic review.

AIM: Abnormal colonic pressure profiles and high intraluminal pressures are postulated to contribute to the formation of sigmoid colon diverticulosis and the pathophysiology of diverticular disease. This study aimed to review evidence for abnormal colonic pressure profiles in diverticulosis. METHOD: All published studies investigating colonic pressure in patients with diverticulosis were searched in three databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus). No language restrictions were applied. Any manometry studies in which patients with diverticulosis were compared with controls were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) for case-control studies was used as a measure of risk of bias. A cut-off of five or more points on the NOS (fair quality in terms of risk of bias) was chosen for inclusion in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Ten studies (published 1962-2005) met the inclusion criteria. The studies followed a wide variety of protocols and all used low-resolution manometry (sensor spacing range 7.5-15 cm). Six studies compared intra-sigmoid pressure, with five of six showing higher pressure in diverticulosis vs controls, but only two reached statistical significance. A meta-analysis was not performed as only two studies were above the cut-off and these did not have comparable outcomes. CONCLUSION: This systematic review of manometry data shows that evidence for abnormal pressure in the sigmoid colon in patients with diverticulosis is weak. Existing studies utilized inconsistent methodology, showed heterogeneous results and are of limited quality. Higher quality studies using modern manometric techniques and standardized reporting methods are needed to clarify the role of colonic pressure in diverticulosis.